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[[Varna System (वर्ण व्यवस्था)|Varna Vyavastha]] (वर्णव्यवस्था) is a vision presented by dharma traditions wherein diversity is not only recognized as a fundamental reality of the human society, but is also made the foundation stone of human welfare. Dharma means “that which upholds” and hence, a social order based on the dharma should be such that it leads each individual to well-being and fulfillment, all the while establishing justice and harmony in the society, a notion well summarized in the popular saying <blockquote>लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु । lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu ।</blockquote>Meaning : let all beings in the world attain happiness.<ref name=":2" />

[[Varna System (वर्ण व्यवस्था)|Varna Vyavastha]] (वर्णव्यवस्था) is a vision presented by dharma traditions wherein diversity is not only recognized as a fundamental reality of the human society, but is also made the foundation stone of human welfare. Dharma means “that which upholds” and hence, a social order based on the dharma should be such that it leads each individual to well-being and fulfillment, all the while establishing justice and harmony in the society, a notion well summarized in the popular saying <blockquote>लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु । lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhino bhavantu ।</blockquote>Meaning : let all beings in the world attain happiness.<ref name=":2" />

Quoting Dr. Nagaraj Paturi here from the Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad on this topic<ref>Dr. Nagaraj Paturi in [https://groups.google.com/d/msg/bvparishat/KobQl_OIHzM/0MOgWZkHBQAJ Judging Varna based on Guna or Birth (janma)]</ref><blockquote>''Varna system and caste system are two different systems altogether. Our scriptures talked about four Varnas not four castes. "In actuality in our Country there are hundreds of castes if not thousands." itself shows that these two are different concepts.''</blockquote>Traditionally the Varna system is used to refer to the social order of the people and used as a representative word for this concept. However, it is to be noted that the concept of Varna is not restricted to representation to social order of human beings alone but extends to different animate and inanimate entities like plants, devatas, shilas, serpents, gems, musical ragas, Vedas and even Vedas svaras. Thus the varna system is applicable to many entities across the spectrum of creation.

Quoting Dr. Nagaraj Paturi here from the Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad on this topic<ref>Dr. Nagaraj Paturi in [https://groups.google.com/d/msg/bvparishat/KobQl_OIHzM/0MOgWZkHBQAJ Judging Varna based on Guna or Birth (janma)]</ref><blockquote>''Varna system and caste system are two different systems altogether. Our scriptures talked about four Varnas not four castes. "In actuality in our Country there are hundreds of castes if not thousands." itself shows that these two are different concepts.''</blockquote>Traditionally the Varna system is used to refer to the social order of the people and used as a representative word for this concept. However, it is to be noted that Varna is not restricted to representation of social order of human beings alone but extends to different animate and inanimate entities like plants, devatas, shilas, serpents, gems, musical ragas, Vedas and even Vedas svaras. Thus the varna system is applicable to many beings across the spectrum of creation.

== चातुर्वर्ण्यव्यवस्थायाः विस्तृतिः ॥ Universality of Chaturvarnyas ==

== चातुर्वर्ण्यव्यवस्थायाः विस्तृतिः ॥ Universality of Chaturvarnyas ==

Social order and rank is known to exist in nature, in species other than the humans, such as ants, wasps, bees, termites and even monkeys. Thus varna vyavastha is not unnatural or man-made.<ref name=":9">Various Scholars in Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad (Topic : [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/bvparishat/UJxyuIB1JgU Varna system in different species])</ref>   

Social order and rank is known to exist in nature, in species other than the humans, such as ants, wasps, bees, termites and even monkeys. Thus varna vyavastha is not unnatural or man-made.<ref name=":9">Various Scholars in Bharatiya Vidvat Parishad (Topic : [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/bvparishat/UJxyuIB1JgU Varna system in different species])</ref>   

'''Plants:''' Palasha is brahmana and durva is Kshatriya<blockquote>...तद्यद्दूर्वा भवत्योषधीनामेवास्मिंस्त-त्क्षत्रं दधात्यथो प्रतिष्ठामेतानि ह वै... (Aita. Brah. 8.37.4)<ref>Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref></blockquote>Other places dealing with Vrkshashastra mention that (Rajanighantu) the plants belonging to different varnas should not be crossed with each other.  

'''Plants:''' Palasha is brahmana and durva is Kshatriya<blockquote>...तद्यद्दूर्वा भवत्योषधीनामेवास्मिंस्त-त्क्षत्रं दधात्यथो प्रतिष्ठामेतानि ह वै... (Aita. Brah. 8.37.4)<ref>Aitareya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%90%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%AF_%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%9E%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE_%E0%A5%AE_(%E0%A4%85%E0 Panchika 8])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>...tadyaddūrvā bhavatyoṣadhīnāmevāsmiṁsta-tkṣatraṁ dadhātyatho pratiṣṭhāmetāni ha vai... (Aita. Brah. 8.37.4)</blockquote>Other places dealing with Vrkshashastra mention that (Rajanighantu) the plants belonging to different varnas should not be crossed with each other.  

'''Vedas:''' In the Vedas, the Riks have been associated with Brahmanas, Yajus with Kshatriyas and Saman with Vaishyas according to some scholars. The Taitrriya Brahmana says that Brahman created the three varnas from the three Vedas - Vaishyas from Rigveda, Kshatriyas from Yajurveda, and Brahmanas from Samaveda.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>ऋग्भ्यो जातं वैश्यं वर्णमाहुः । यजुर्वेदं क्षत्रियस्याहुर्योनिम् । सामवेदो ब्राह्मणानां प्रसूतिः । (Tait. Brah. 3.12.9.2)<ref>Taittriya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4 Kanda 3 Prapathaka 12])</ref></blockquote>'''Vaidika Devatas:''' Shatapatha Brahmana reveals that Agni and Brhaspati were Brahmanas; Indra, Varuna, Soma, Rudra, Parjanya, and Yama were Kshatriyas; Vasu, Rudra, Aditya, Vaisvedevas and Maruts were Vaishyas (also called Vish) and Pusha was Shudra.<ref name=":10">Acharya. Shiva, (2000) Ph. D. Thesis: ''Nation and Nationalism in the Vedic Literature : A Study.'' Gauhati: University of Gauhati ([https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/67734 Chapter 5 Social Aspects : Varna and Ashrama Vyavastha])</ref><ref name=":9" /><blockquote>ब्रह्म वा इदमग्र आसीत्। एकमेव तदेकं सन्न व्यभवत्तच्छ्रेयो रूपमत्यसृजत क्षत्रं यान्येतानि देवत्रा क्षत्राणीन्द्रो वरुणः सोमो रुद्रः पर्जन्यो यमो मृत्युरीशान इति.. ।(Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.23)</blockquote><blockquote>स विशमसृजत यान्येतानि देवजातानि गणश आख्यायन्ते वसवो रुद्रा आदित्या विश्वे देवा मरुत इति । (Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.24)</blockquote><blockquote>स शौद्रं वर्णमसृजत पूषणमियं वै पूषेयं हीदं सर्वं पुष्यति यदिदं किं च। (Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.25)<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AA/%E0%A4%85%E0%A Kanda 14 Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote>'''Vaidika Svaras:''' Udaatta, Anudaatta, Svarita svaras of the vaidika mantra pronunciation are classified into varnas and rshis as per Yajnavalkya Shiksha shastra.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>उदात्तं ब्राह्मणं विद्यान्नीचं क्षत्रियमेव च। ३ वैश्यं तु स्वरितं विद्याद् भारद्वाजमुदात्तकम् । नीचं गौतममित्याहुर्गार्ग्यं च स्वरितं विदुः ।४ (Yajn. Shik. 3-4)<ref>Pt. Ramprasad Tripathi (1989) ''Shiksha Samgraha of Yajnavalkya and others.'' Varanasi: Sampurnanda Samskrit Vishvavidyalaya (Page 1)</ref></blockquote>Know that the udaatta svara is brahmana, and anudatta (neecha) is kshatriya. Vaishya is in svarita. Know that Bharadvaja is (said to be the rshi) for udaatta, Gautama for neecha and Gargya for svarita svaras.   

'''Vedas:''' In the Vedas, the Riks have been associated with Brahmanas, Yajus with Kshatriyas and Saman with Vaishyas according to some scholars. The Taitrriya Brahmana says that Brahman created the three varnas from the three Vedas - Vaishyas from Rigveda, Kshatriyas from Yajurveda, and Brahmanas from Samaveda.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>ऋग्भ्यो जातं वैश्यं वर्णमाहुः । यजुर्वेदं क्षत्रियस्याहुर्योनिम् । सामवेदो ब्राह्मणानां प्रसूतिः । (Tait. Brah. 3.12.9.2)<ref>Taittriya Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%88%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_(%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4 Kanda 3 Prapathaka 12])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>r̥gbhyo jātaṁ vaiśyaṁ varṇamāhuḥ । yajurvedaṁ kṣatriyasyāhuryonim । sāmavedo brāhmaṇānāṁ prasūtiḥ । (Tait. Brah. 3.12.9.2)</blockquote>'''Vaidika Devatas:''' Shatapatha Brahmana reveals that Agni and Brhaspati were Brahmanas; Indra, Varuna, Soma, Rudra, Parjanya, and Yama were Kshatriyas; Vasu, Rudra, Aditya, Vaisvedevas and Maruts were Vaishyas (also called Vish) and Pusha was Shudra.<ref name=":10">Acharya. Shiva, (2000) Ph. D. Thesis: ''Nation and Nationalism in the Vedic Literature : A Study.'' Gauhati: University of Gauhati ([https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/67734 Chapter 5 Social Aspects : Varna and Ashrama Vyavastha])</ref><ref name=":9" /><blockquote>ब्रह्म वा इदमग्र आसीत्। एकमेव तदेकं सन्न व्यभवत्तच्छ्रेयो रूपमत्यसृजत क्षत्रं यान्येतानि देवत्रा क्षत्राणीन्द्रो वरुणः सोमो रुद्रः पर्जन्यो यमो मृत्युरीशान इति.. ।(Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.23)</blockquote><blockquote>brahma vā idamagra āsīt। ekameva tadekaṁ sanna vyabhavattacchreyo rūpamatyasr̥jata kṣatraṁ yānyetāni devatrā kṣatrāṇīndro varuṇaḥ somo rudraḥ parjanyo yamo mr̥tyurīśāna iti.. ।(Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.23)</blockquote><blockquote>स विशमसृजत यान्येतानि देवजातानि गणश आख्यायन्ते वसवो रुद्रा आदित्या विश्वे देवा मरुत इति । (Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.24)</blockquote><blockquote>sa viśamasr̥jata yānyetāni devajātāni gaṇaśa ākhyāyante vasavo rudrā ādityā viśve devā maruta iti । (Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.24)</blockquote><blockquote>स शौद्रं वर्णमसृजत पूषणमियं वै पूषेयं हीदं सर्वं पुष्यति यदिदं किं च। (Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.25)<ref>Shatapatha Brahmana ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A1%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AA/%E0%A4%85%E0%A Kanda 14 Adhyaya 4])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>sa śaudraṁ varṇamasr̥jata pūṣaṇamiyaṁ vai pūṣeyaṁ hīdaṁ sarvaṁ puṣyati yadidaṁ kiṁ ca। (Shat. Brah. 14.4.2.25)</blockquote>'''Vaidika Svaras:''' Udaatta, Anudaatta, Svarita svaras of the vaidika mantra pronunciation are classified into varnas and rshis as per Yajnavalkya Shiksha shastra.<ref name=":9" /><blockquote>उदात्तं ब्राह्मणं विद्यान्नीचं क्षत्रियमेव च। ३ वैश्यं तु स्वरितं विद्याद् भारद्वाजमुदात्तकम् । नीचं गौतममित्याहुर्गार्ग्यं च स्वरितं विदुः ।४ (Yajn. Shik. 3-4)<ref>Pt. Ramprasad Tripathi (1989) ''Shiksha Samgraha of Yajnavalkya and others.'' Varanasi: Sampurnanda Samskrit Vishvavidyalaya (Page 1)</ref></blockquote><blockquote>udāttaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ vidyānnīcaṁ kṣatriyameva ca। 3 vaiśyaṁ tu svaritaṁ vidyād bhāradvājamudāttakam । nīcaṁ gautamamityāhurgārgyaṁ ca svaritaṁ viduḥ ।4 (Yajn. Shik. 3-4)</blockquote>Know that the udaatta svara is brahmana, and anudatta (neecha) is kshatriya. Vaishya is in svarita. Know that Bharadvaja is (said to be the rshi) for udaatta, Gautama for neecha and Gargya for svarita svaras.   

'''Varnakshara mala:''' Even the alphabets have been classified under the varna vyavastha. Svara varnas are to be known as brahmana, of the five vargas (Kavarga and other) consonant groups the first four (alpapranas and mahapranas) of each group are to be known as belonging to Kshatriya varna, the panchama akshara of each group along with the Antasta are said to belong to the Vaishya group. Ushmana and Hakara group are said to be of the Shudra varna.<ref name=":9" />  <blockquote>स्वरास्तु ब्राह्मणा ज्ञेया वर्गाणां प्रथमाश्च ये द्वितीयाश्च तृतीयाश्च चतुर्थाश्चापि भूमिपाः २</blockquote><blockquote>वर्गाणां पञ्चमा वैश्या अन्तस्थाश्च तथैव च ऊष्माणश्च हकारश्च शूद्रा एव प्रकीर्तिताः ३</blockquote>'''Animals:''' Animals have been classified into groups; for example, goat has been supposed to be in the Brahmana varna Shatapatha Brahmana (SB 6.4.4.22), horse is kshatriya (SB 6.4.4.12), donkey is a vaishya and shudra (SB 6.4.4.12) as well.<ref name=":10" />

'''Varnakshara mala:''' Even the alphabets have been classified under the varna vyavastha. Svara varnas are to be known as brahmana, of the five vargas (Kavarga and other) consonant groups the first four (alpapranas and mahapranas) of each group are to be known as belonging to Kshatriya varna, the panchama akshara of each group along with the Antasta are said to belong to the Vaishya group. Ushmana and Hakara group are said to be of the Shudra varna.<ref name=":9" />  <blockquote>स्वरास्तु ब्राह्मणा ज्ञेया वर्गाणां प्रथमाश्च ये द्वितीयाश्च तृतीयाश्च चतुर्थाश्चापि भूमिपाः २</blockquote><blockquote>svarāstu brāhmaṇā jñeyā vargāṇāṁ prathamāśca ye dvitīyāśca tr̥tīyāśca caturthāścāpi bhūmipāḥ 2</blockquote><blockquote>वर्गाणां पञ्चमा वैश्या अन्तस्थाश्च तथैव च ऊष्माणश्च हकारश्च शूद्रा एव प्रकीर्तिताः ३</blockquote><blockquote>vargāṇāṁ pañcamā vaiśyā antasthāśca tathaiva ca ūṣmāṇaśca hakāraśca śūdrā eva prakīrtitāḥ 3</blockquote>'''Animals:''' Animals have been classified into groups; for example, goat has been supposed to be in the Brahmana varna Shatapatha Brahmana (SB 6.4.4.22), horse is kshatriya (SB 6.4.4.12), donkey is a vaishya and shudra (SB 6.4.4.12) as well.<ref name=":10" />

The criteria to establish the Varna vyavastha in humans has been debated by intellectuals over centuries, volumes have been brought out, interpretations have been churned out but without any consensus or concrete results. The schools of thoughts or their combination over the organization of the varna vyavastha may be broadly based on the following aspects

The criteria to establish the Varna vyavastha in humans has been debated by intellectuals over centuries, volumes have been brought out, interpretations have been churned out but without any consensus or concrete results. The schools of thoughts or their combination over the organization of the varna vyavastha may be broadly based on the following aspects

# Geneological or the birth of the person (sons of rshis performed activities of purohita, Kshatriya sons administered states, vaishyas cultivated lands accordingly)

# Geneological or the birth of the person (sons of rshis performed activities of purohita, Kshatriya sons administered states, vaishyas cultivated lands accordingly)

# Performance irrespective of birth or family profession (examples being Brahmarshi Vishvamitra who was born kshatriya but became Brahmarshi, Satyakama was the son of a fallen woman who studied the Vedas)

# Performance irrespective of birth or family profession (examples being Brahmarshi Vishvamitra who was born kshatriya but became Brahmarshi, Satyakama was the son of a fallen woman who studied the Vedas)

Each of the above thoughts have their arguments from various texts in support of and against them. There are various versions about the origin and number of the varnas. The primary introduction of the concept of Varna comes in the grandiose of Purusha Sukta in the Rigveda, where all Varnas are part of divine Supreme, a part of Vishvaroopa. Bhagavadgita's famous shloka declares Shrikrishna as the creator of the Varnas. <blockquote>चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः। तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्।। (Bhag. Gita. 4.13) </blockquote>Chandogya Upanishad (5.10.7) declares the deeds of the previous birth (Karma siddhanta) to be the cause of certain births. However, in the present day, more than the origin, the perspective of equal contribution of peoples of all varnas cannot be more emphasized for the conduct and smooth running of the society and nation as well.<ref name=":10" />

Each of the above thoughts have their arguments from various texts in support of and against them. There are various versions about the origin and number of the varnas. The primary introduction of the concept of Varna comes in the grandiose of Purusha Sukta in the Rigveda, where all Varnas are part of divine Supreme, a part of Vishvaroopa. Bhagavadgita's famous shloka declares Shrikrishna as the creator of the Varnas. <blockquote>चातुर्वर्ण्यं मया सृष्टं गुणकर्मविभागशः। तस्य कर्तारमपि मां विद्ध्यकर्तारमव्ययम्।। (Bhag. Gita. 4.13) </blockquote><blockquote>cāturvarṇyaṁ mayā sr̥ṣṭaṁ guṇakarmavibhāgaśaḥ। tasya kartāramapi māṁ viddhyakartāramavyayam।।</blockquote>Chandogya Upanishad (5.10.7) declares the deeds of the previous birth (Karma siddhanta) to be the cause of certain births. However, in the present day, more than the origin, the perspective of equal contribution of peoples of all varnas   is the need of the hour for the conduct and smooth running of the society and nation as well.<ref name=":10" />

== वर्णविचारः ॥ The Concept of Varna ==

== वर्णविचारः ॥ The Concept of Varna ==

The Rshis and the authors of [[Dharma Shastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|dharmashastra]] conceived of a social order wherein the uniqueness in temperaments and capabilities of every individual was not only recognized, but was made the central piece of the entire conceptual social structure and called this conceptual framework Varna Vyavastha. Thus, it is important to identify the designation and structuring of varna as a conceptual framework and not a social stratification.

The Rshis and the authors of [[Dharma Shastras (धर्मशास्त्राणि)|dharmashastra]] conceived of a social order wherein the uniqueness in temperaments and capabilities of every individual was not only recognized, but was made the central piece of the entire conceptual social structure and called this conceptual framework Varna Vyavastha. Thus, it is important to identify the designation and structuring of varna as a conceptual framework and not a social stratification.

=== सूत्रचरणग्रन्थेषु वर्णः ॥ Varna in Sutracharanas ===

=== सूत्रचरणग्रन्थेषु वर्णः ॥ Varna in Sutracharanas ===

[[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] and [[Dharmasutras (धर्मसूत्राणि)|Dharmasutras]] are the primary texts that describe the [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|Varnashrama dharmas]] explicitly and are considered as ancient primary texts that deal with this matter in great detail. While the Vedas mention them in particular context such as marriage, Varnaashrama dharmas form the principal subject matter of these Vedanga texts. They laid strict rules regarding the occupations to be followed largely in a hereditary manner. All Grhyasutras and Dharmasutras such as those of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Gautama, and Vashishta discuss the Varnadharmas with few differences, or with some peculiarity, omission or addition of principles.  Here the Baudhayana Dharmasutras are quoted as an example for the Varnadharmas for the people of four varnas.  

[[Grhyasutras (गृह्यसूत्राणि)|Grhyasutras]] and [[Dharmasutras (धर्मसूत्राणि)|Dharmasutras]] are the primary texts that describe the [[Varnashrama Dharma (वर्णाश्रमधर्मः)|Varnashrama dharmas]] explicitly and are considered as ancient primary Kalpa texts that deal with this matter in great detail. While the Vedas mention them in particular context (such as upanayana and marriage), Varnaashrama dharmas form the principal subject matter of these Vedanga texts. They laid strict rules regarding the occupations to be followed which was largely in a hereditary manner. Grhyasutras and Dharmasutras such as those of Baudhayana, Apastamba, Gautama, and Vashishta discuss the Varnadharmas with few differences, or with some peculiarity, omission or addition of principles.  Here the Baudhayana Dharmasutras<ref>Baudhayana Dharmasutras ([https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%BF/%E0%A4%AC%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%A7%E0%A Full Text])</ref> are mentioned as an example of the Varnadharmas along with the importance of svadharma of the people in the commentary. <blockquote>ब्रह्म वै स्वं महिमानं ब्राह्मणेष्वदधाद् अध्ययन-अध्यापन-यजन-याजन-दान-प्रतिग्रह-संयुक्तं वेदानां गुप्त्यै ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.1.10.2)</blockquote><blockquote>brahma vai svaṁ mahimānaṁ brāhmaṇeṣvadadhād adhyayana-adhyāpana-yajana-yājana-dāna-pratigraha-saṁyuktaṁ vedānāṁ guptyai ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.1.10.2)</blockquote>Associated with the Brahmanas are six [[Brahmana Dharma (ब्राह्मणधर्मः)|Brahmana Dharmas]] which include adhyayana (अध्ययन । studying the Vedas), adhyapana (अध्यापन । teaching), performing yajnas (यजन), officiating yajnas (याजन) giving danas (दान) and receiving (प्रतिग्रह) danas - all for the sake of protection of Vedas.<ref name=":11">Pt. Srinivasacharya, L. (1907) ''The Bodhayana Dharmasutra with the commentary of Govindasvamin.'' Mysore: Government Branch Press (Pages 120 - 121)</ref> <blockquote>क्षत्रे बलम् अध्ययन-यजन-दान-शस्त्र-कोश-भूत-रक्षण-संयुक्तं क्षत्रस्य वृद्ध्यै ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.1.10.3)</blockquote><blockquote>kṣatre balam adhyayana-yajana-dāna-śastra-kośa-bhūta-rakṣaṇa-saṁyuktaṁ kṣatrasya vr̥ddhyai ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.1.10.3)</blockquote>Strength is associated with Kshatriyas and ruling over the subjects according to the prescribed methods in shastras is their svadharma.  Their [[Kshatriya Dharma (क्षत्रियधर्मः)|Kshatriya Dharmas]] comprise primarily of protection of people of all varnas and include adhyayana (अध्ययन । studying the Vedas), performing yajnas (यजन), giving (दान), weilding weapons (शस्त्र), maintaining treasury (कोश) and overall protection of all creatures (भूतरक्षण) for the sake of strenght.<ref name=":11" /> <blockquote>विट्स्व् अध्ययन-यजन-दान-कृषि-वाणिज्य-पशुपालन-संयुक्तं कर्मणां वृद्ध्यै ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.10.4)</blockquote><blockquote>viṭsv adhyayana-yajana-dāna-kr̥ṣi-vāṇijya-paśupālana-saṁyuktaṁ karmaṇāṁ vr̥ddhyai ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.10.4)</blockquote>[[Vaishya Dharma (वैश्यधर्मः)|Vaishya Dharmas]] include adhyayana (अध्ययन । studying the Vedas), performing yajnas (यजन), giving (दान), agriculture (कृषि), trade (वाणिज्य), cattle breeding (पशुपालन) for the sake of karma.<ref name=":11" /> <blockquote>शूद्रेषु पूर्वेषां परिचर्याम् ॥ śūdreṣu pūrveṣāṁ paricaryām ॥ (Baud. Dhar. Sutr. 1.1.10.5)</blockquote>[[Shudra Dharma (शूद्रधर्मः)|Shudra Dharmas]] included sushrusha (service) to the persons of other varnas. 

[[Brahmana Dharma (ब्राह्मणधर्मः)|Brahmana Dharmas]] include six occupations namely svadhyaya (studying the Vedas), teaching, conducting yajnas, officiating yajnas (rtviks) giving and receiving danas.

Thus the discussion about various dharmas is extensively conducted in the Sutragranthas.

 

 

 

[[Shudra Dharma (शूद्रधर्मः)|Shudra Dharmas]] included handicrafts and service (in general and to the other varna people)21

=== स्मृत्यां वर्णः ॥ Varna in Smrti ===

=== स्मृत्यां वर्णः ॥ Varna in Smrti ===